Former British PM Johnson becomes honorary citizen of Kyiv

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was on Thursday given the title of an honorary citizen of Kyiv by the Ukrainian capital’s city council.

“The Kyiv City Council approved the decision to confer the title of Honorary Citizen of Kyiv on Boris Johnson, a great friend of Ukraine," Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on his Telegram account.

"Boris repeatedly visited the Ukrainian capital - both in peace and in the most dramatic time of our struggle against the Russian aggressor."

Klitschko said he is certain Johnson will continue to do “everything possible to ensure that Great Britain and world leaders provide the necessary assistance to Ukraine.”

“Thanks for your support! We are waiting in Kyiv again to present this honorable award,” Klitschko added.

In a recent interview with the CNN, Johnson, one of the most vocal supporters of Ukraine, said the attitudes of Western nations varied widely before Moscow launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine on Feb. 24.

He said Germany wanted Ukraine to fold than to become embroiled in a long war, while French President Emmanuel Macron was in denial about the threat of a military operation.

Johnson was replaced in Downing Street by Liz Truss, who had the shortest tenure of any British premier. His chancellor-turned-political rival, Rishi Sunak, is now the UK prime minister, who met Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv last week and announced a new defense package.